Leahy Makes Case for Senate Votes on Nominees

Citing record levels of judicial vacancies, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) turned up the heat Wednesday for the confirmation of nearly two dozen executive branch nominees before the end of the year.

We have had to waste weeks seeking time agreements in order to consider nominations that were then confirmed unanimously, Leahy said in a statement.

I hope that instead of withholding consent and threatening filibusters of President [Barack] Obamas judicial nominees, Senate Republicans will treat the nominees of President Obama fairly, Leahy added.

Leahy is pushing for the Senate to confirm nine judicial nominees that have been pending for weeks and even months. The chamber has confirmed a total of 10 nominees appointed to lifetime judicial terms this year.

The Senate last considered a judicial nominee on Nov. 19, when David Hamilton was confirmed to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

With health care reform consuming the Senate and a handful of other legislative priorities requiring consideration before the end of the year, it is unclear when Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) might fit in time for nominations.